Real-Life Math -- Solution
The patient's weight is 70 kilograms, his height is 185 centimeters
and he is 45 years old. Enter these amounts into the formula.
Basal
Energy Expenditure Formula:
Calories = 66.5 +
(13.8 x weight in kg) + (5 x height in cm) - (6.8 x age)
Calories = 66.5
+ (13.8 x 70 kg) + ( 5 x 185 cm) - (6.8 x 45 years)
Calories = 1,651.5
Because
the patient is very active, you must increase his calorie intake by 25 to
30 percent, so his intake would be 100 percent + 30 percent = 130 percent
Multiply
1,651.5 by 1.3 (or 130 percent)
Calories = 1,651.5 x 1.3
Calories
= 2,147 (rounded off)
You've got to be aware of many
variables as a dietitian.Dietitians make basic calculations all of the time,
so being comfortable with numbers is handy.
"You're always using equations,"
says dietitian Daniel Tisi. "Let's face it, in today's world your cell phone
can do most of it for you -- there's an app for that.
"There's always
the need to off-the-cuff maybe add up exchange of carbohydrates, proteins,
fats, whatever, and also know... which foods contribute which nutrients the
most," Tisa adds.
Dietitians do another calculation on a regular basis:
"Your BMI (calculation), you often do that," says Tisi. (BMI stands for body
mass index, which is the relation of a person's height to their weight.)
"A
lot of dietitians, myself included, because we do [BMI calculations] a lot,
will develop an Excel (spread)sheet, so computer skills are very important
as well," says Tisi. "You just come up with whatever you can to make it quicker
and more efficient."